Sparks Electrical News November 2022

LIGHTING

15

Solar lighting FAQs A re your clients interested in buying or installing solar lighting? The experts at Eurolux answer some of the most frequently asked questions to assist you in guiding your customers. Q: Do solar fixtures require exposure to direct sunlight? A: While exposure to direct sunlight will charge your solar fixtures at a faster rate and enhance their per formance, it’s not a necessity. They’ll still charge on a cloudy day, just at a lower voltage. Q: Can they withstand exposure to the ele ments? A: Solar fixtures are made for the outdoors and can certainly withstand exposure to the elements, espe cially in South Africa where our weather is fairly mild. They’re generally crafted from durable plastic and rust-proof metal and typically have a waterproofing rating of IP65. With that being said, extremely windy conditions can cause hanging fixtures to fall off their hooks. In this case, it is better to remove the fixture and bring it indoors for safekeeping until the wind subsides. Q: Are there batteries in solar lights? A: Yes, solar fixtures consist of a solar cell, Ni-Cad rechargeable battery, LED light and photoresistor. They harness the power of the sun during the day, storing that energy in the battery to be used at night. Eagle Lighting opens new Pretoria store E stablished in 1924, Eagle Lighting are sup pliers of lighting and lighting accessories for domestic and commercial projects and of fer a wide range of LED energy efficient solutions. The retail division has amongst the largest lighting showrooms in the Western Cape, George, Knysna, Hermanus, Port Elizabeth as well as a new show room in Woodlands, Pretoria which opened in Sep tember 2022. At the new store, located at the Woodlands Boulevard Shopping Centre in Pretoria East, Eagle Lighting has everything you need to brighten up your space, the light way. The company are suppli ers of light fittings and accessories for commercial and domestic projects, and offer a wide variety of decorative and essential light fixtures.

The photoresistor detects a change in the level of light, which in turn activates the battery and turns the LED on. Q: What are the benefits of outdoor solar lighting? A: Solar light fixtures offer a multitude of benefits. They are: • Economically friendly. • Better for the environment. • Easy to install and move around. • Simple to maintain. • Safe for environments with pets and children.

illumination.

Q: How long does outdoor solar lighting last? A: If you take good care of Ni-Cad rechargeable bat teries, they should have a lifespan of about two years. LED bulbs will offer up to 30 000 hours of illumi nation. To get the most out of your fixtures, regular maintenance is essential. Use a damp, lint-free cloth to gently wipe the solar panel clean at least once a month. Once the dust, dirt and grime is removed, wipe it with a dry cloth. Q: How many hours of illumination do they of fer after being fully charged? A: The average fixture offers between 8 to 12 hours of

Q: What causes decreased performance of a solar fixture? A: The culprit may be reduced sunlight hours. Turn the fixture off and allow it to charge for two to three sunny days without using it. This will allow the battery to re charge and operate as normal. If this does not work, it could mean that the battery needs replacing. This sometimes happens after around two years.

Enquiries: www.eurolux.co.za

Enquiries: www.eaglelighting.co.za

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

NOVEMBER 2022